Polgar: Steps to learning the language of chess as easy as ABC, 123

There are 64 squares on the chessboard. There are eight squares vertically (up and down) and eight squares horizontally (side to side).

In order to keep track of the moves played, chess players use a coordinate (algebraic) system of recording moves and positions. To each square there is assigned a letter and a number. This lets you record the moves by noting the location of each piece after every move. The system is based on combining a letter (a-h) and a number (1-8).

As you can see from the chessboard pictured (diagram 1), the vertical columns are called files and are designated by the letter a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h. The horizontal columns are called ranks and are designated by the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

When referring to the squares, the letters always go first before the numbers. Remember: The board must always be set up with the light square h1 on the right corner. I usually teach young children to remember the phrase "White (or light) is always on the right" to help them remember the proper way to set up the chess board.

Each chess piece is assigned a letter and value.

Queen = Q = 9 points

Rook = R = 5 points

Bishop = B = 3 points

Knight = N = 3 points

Pawn = P = 1 point

King = K = No point

Let's take a look at some examples. In diagram 2, the White King is on square e1 (Ke1) and the White Queen is on square d1 (Qd1). The Black King is on square e8 (Ke8) and the Black Queen is on square d8 (Qd8).

I will provide more detailed examples of how to record the moves next week.